Excerpts from wspynews.com:
The Oswego Fire Protection District is again asking voters for a tax increase to cover costs of replacing aging equipment and the construction of a new satellite station to the tune of $17 million. This time the district is asking for approval of a bond issuance.
Voters have rejected a permanent public safety tax three times now. Fire Chief John Cornish says the district is taking a different approach this time. Cornish says voters do not want a tax that doesn’t go away.
The proposed bond would be paid off in ten years, and people will see an added line on their tax bill for the next ten years.
The district says the cost of maintaining facilities and equipment has continued to increase and that calls have increased from 2,000 a year and 6,700 a year since the last funding increase ten years ago.
#1 by Brian on March 5, 2023 - 10:53 PM
They are also trying to add a 5th station on the east side of the district near Harvey and Wolf Crossing. Two huge subdivisions are being built or have been approved to be built and this is a no mans land in their response area.
So this request is for a station and adding an engine and likely two ambulances. As a citizen of the district, I hope this go around passes.
#2 by Mike on March 3, 2023 - 9:32 AM
Not to be that guy but I guess I will. This is actually a good idea because they can invest that money and hopefully get good returns before spending it. Also maybe fire districts need to work on changing the funding formula for fire districts since costs have gone up exponentially and nobody’s budget is going to be able to sustain or absorb some of these costs. Now here is me being that guy. It was said before that they’re running four man companies. If that’s the case drop 2 engines down to 3 and staff your fourth ambulance. This manpower movement is nothing but a shell game then and you are not telling the taxpayers the truth about your staffing. Leave the tower at 4 and maybe your house with the busiest ambulance at 4. But if you have 4 4 person companies you need to adjust and put the 4th ambulance in service.